Highlights of a City Trip to Porto
Planning a city trip to Porto? This charming Portuguese city is packed with unique sights, from colourful alleyways and historic neighbourhoods to world-famous port wine cellars. During your visit to Porto you can enjoy atmospheric squares, beautiful architecture and delicious local food. Whether you are looking for culture, nature or great food, Porto has it all. Let yourself be surprised by the versatility of this vibrant city on the Douro river!
Porto, the best city in Portugal?
For a long time Porto was the forgotten city of Portugal and it was hit hard during the economic crisis. Today, however, this vibrant city is well and truly back. With its rich history, beautiful architecture, delicious wine and lively culture, it offers everything for a perfect city trip. That might just make Porto the best city in Portugal!
The city is made up of different neighbourhoods, each with its own unique atmosphere and charm. In this blog we share our favourite neighbourhoods in Porto, with tips on the best sights, popular hotspots and comfortable places to stay.
What is there to do in Porto?
Porto is packed with beautiful sights and fun activities. All over the city you will find countless unique boutiques and traditional crafts that show the authentic character of Porto. Everywhere you go there are cosy terraces where you can soak up the lively street life.
Curious about Portuguese cuisine? Then be sure to taste local specialities such as pastéis de nata, francesinha (a toasted sandwich with beer sauce), bacalhau (cod), chouriço assado (flamed chorizo), piri piri chicken and fresh sardines. And of course you cannot leave Porto without a glass of the world-famous port wine.
The city is made up of different neighbourhoods, each with its own unique atmosphere and charm. In this blog we share our favourite neighbourhoods in Porto, with tips on the best sights, popular hotspots and comfortable places to stay.
Ribeira: The Colourful and Historic District on the Douro in Porto
Ribeira is without a doubt the most colourful and lively district of Porto, and an absolute must-see for every visitor to the city. This picturesque neighbourhood is known for its characteristic Portuguese azulejos (colourful tiled façades) and cheerfully painted houses that line the streets and squares. Ribeira sits right on the bank of the impressive Douro river, which gives it a magical atmosphere.
In Ribeira you will find a wide variety of cosy terraces, authentic little shops and historic sights, such as old churches and atmospheric squares. From the lively quayside you have a beautiful view of the iconic Ponte Luís I, the famous double-deck arch bridge that connects Porto with the Vila Nova de Gaia district on the other side of the river.
The riverside promenade is a popular spot to relax with a drink or a traditional meal while you watch the passing boats and the buzzing city life. Ribeira is the place to experience the authentic Porto atmosphere, both during the day and in the evening, when the district comes to life with street musicians and cosy cafés.
Sights
- Porto Cathedral - The cathedral of the city. Impossible to miss, because you can see it rising up from almost every point in the city. The inside of the cathedral is also very impressive, so do not skip it. A ticket costs about € 8 per person. Opposite the cathedral is Miradouro da Rua das Aldas, which offers a beautiful view over the whole city.
- Igreja de Santa Clara - This church is well hidden, but once you have found it you will not believe your eyes when you step inside. A chapel covered entirely in gold! Entry costs about € 4 per person.
- Palácio da Bolsa - Once the trading centre of Porto, built in the 19th century. A beautiful building with an interesting history. You can only get in by booking a guided tour in advance. It costs about € 12 per person. Buy your ticket here and choose the language of your tour.
- Igreja de São Francisco - In this Gothic church from the 14th century you will not believe your eyes either. Baroque work completely gilded in gold, wow! Be sure to step inside. Entry is free.
- Miradouro da Vitória - One of the best viewpoints in the city. It is a bit of a climb to get here, but the view you get in return is absolutely worth it! Also very beautiful in the evening, when all the churches and port houses are lit up and street musicians play romantic music.
- A Casa do Fado Ribeira - Fado is the traditional folk music of Portugal. Even if you do not understand the words, the music touches you! A special experience to enjoy a small fado concert in an intimate setting with a glass of port. Book tickets via GetYourGuide. Is Ribeira already sold out? Then choose São João Novo, which is close by as well. A concert costs € 19 per person.
- Market on the quay - Every day there is a souvenir market on the Ribeira quay. Great for a wander. Pick up a Portuguese tile or a piece of jewellery here.
- Largo da Pena Ventosa - This is the place for the most colourful street in Porto! All the houses have cheerful colours, and sometimes colourful flags or the residents' laundry hang outside. A very photogenic spot.
Hotspots
- Pastéis de nata - NATA SWEET NATA / Atelier de Pastéis de Nata
- Coffee with a view - My Coffee Porto
- Fancy dinner in a kind of wine barrel - Adega São Nicolau
- Tapas board with prosecco sangria - Praça da Ribeira
- Traditional Portuguese cuisine - Cantina 32
- Wine bar - Prova
- Breakfast - Floresta cafe by Hungry Biker
- Ceramic souvenirs - Milá Artisanal Ceramics
Where to stay
For a mid-range hotel in the centre you can choose Hotel Carrís Porto Ribeira-Porto or the cosy InPatio Guest House. Prefer something more luxurious? Then stay at Pestana Vintage Porto or Manor House Porto, right on the waterfront. You will find a good apartment in Ribeira on Airbnb.
Baixa: The Heart of Porto Full of Culture, Shops and History
Baixa, which literally means “downtown”, lies right behind the colourful Ribeira district and forms the bustling centre of Porto. This historic district is known for its charming mix of atmospheric squares, lively shopping streets and beautiful architecture. Everywhere you look you will see the characteristic Portuguese azulejos, especially the typical blue tiles that decorate the façades of the buildings.
In Baixa you will find countless boutiques, cosy restaurants and stylish cafés where you can enjoy local dishes and a relaxed atmosphere. The narrow, picturesque streets are made to be explored on foot, and along the way you can stop at various sights and cultural hotspots.
Baixa is the place for anyone who wants to experience everyday city life in Porto, with a perfect balance between tourist attractions and authentic local charm.
Sights
- Livraria Lello - This old bookshop from 1906 is like a fairy tale inside. It is also great to take a book home with you. Do make sure you buy a ticket online in advance and reserve a time slot (the earlier the better, there are long queues outside). It costs € 8 per person.
- Igreja do Carmo - A Baroque Catholic church that is famous for its façade covered in blue tiles. This church is one of the best-known sights of Porto, so do not miss it.
- Clérigos Church and Tower - For a view over the city you can climb this bell tower. There is a small entrance fee. It is not the most beautiful view of the city, but still a fun thing to do.
- Tram stop 18 - A ride on a traditional tram? You have to do it! The stop is on the corner by the bell tower. Hop on the tram that takes you all the way to the coast. A return ticket costs about € 6 per person.
- Mercado Porto Belo - A cosy Saturday market in the middle of the square. Flowers, fresh produce, bric-a-brac, you will find all sorts of things here.
Hotspots
- Breakfast - Do Norte Café by Hungry Biker / Nicolau Porto
- Tasty sandwiches - A Sandeira do Porto
- Pastéis de nata - Manteigaria
- Eclairs - Leitaria da Quinta do Paço
- Cocktails and nightlife - Aduela
- Asian food - Boa-Bao
- Hip coffee bar - At Street Coffee
- Ice cream - Amorino Gelato
- Ceramic souvenirs - Prometeu Artesanato
- Market - Urbanmarket / Ohana market
- Vintage clothing - Mon Père Vintage
Where to stay
For the best apartments in this area, have a look on Airbnb. A hip mid-range hotel is Selina Porto, and for a modern 4-star hotel you can go to Moon & Sun Porto. Note that both hotels are in busy nightlife areas.
Bolhão: The Hip and Authentic District of Porto
Directly to the right of Baixa lies the bustling district of Bolhão, a much-loved neighbourhood where many local Portuguese do their daily shopping and enjoy the cultural life. Bolhão is the perfect place to discover the real, non-touristy side of Porto, away from the crowds.
In this hip district you will find a mix of larger chain stores, traditional bridal shops and several theatres offering a wide range of performances. One of the highlights is the famous Mercado do Bolhão, an atmospheric market hall where you can buy fresh produce, local specialities and artisan goods.
Just like in the other historic districts of Porto, the characteristic blue azulejos are clearly visible in Bolhão, which adds to the authentic Portuguese atmosphere. Bolhão is ideal if you want to shop, soak up some culture and experience the daily life of the locals during a city trip to Porto.
Sights
- São Bento railway station - This station is not just any station. It has a stunning station hall, full of blue tiles and a bright yellow ceiling.
- Chapel of Souls - You can never get enough of all the churches with blue tiles. Each one is even more beautiful than the last, and this is another little gem. Do step inside the church too.
- Igreja de Santo Ildefonso - This church is also completely covered in the blue tiles.
- Via Catarina Shopping - Bad weather? Then this beautiful shopping centre is not a bad place to spend an afternoon.
- Mercado do Bolhão - A large covered market hall full of all kinds of delicacies. Buy a glass of wine (or port) and wander around the market for something tasty to go with it. A cheese platter, cod or fresh fruit, it is hard to choose!
Hotspots
- Breakfast - Esquires coffee Porto
- Coffee in old Parisian style - Majestic Café (a café from 1922)
- Pastéis de nata - Fábrica da Nata
- Delicatessen - A Pérola do Bolhão / Comer e Chorar por Mais
- Souvenirs - Económica do Bolhão
- Traditional Portuguese cuisine - Gazela
- Bridal boutique - Amour Glamour Galerias Baixa / Amour Glamour Gold
Where to stay
Would you like to stay in Bolhão? Then Torel Palace Porto and Jardim da Batalha Boutique Hotel are two good options. You will find the best apartments in Bolhão on Airbnb.
Gaia: The District of Port Houses and More
On the other side of the iconic Ponte Luís I lies the district of Vila Nova de Gaia, better known as Gaia. This district is world-famous as the place where the traditional port wine houses are based. Big names such as Sandeman, Graham's and Cálem offer tours and tastings here, an absolute must during your visit to Porto.
But Gaia has much more to offer than just port wine. You will also find beautiful walking routes along the river, atmospheric restaurants and impressive viewpoints over the city of Porto and the Douro river. Gaia is the perfect place to experience the authentic wine tradition and to enjoy relaxed life by the river.
Sights
- Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar - A former 16th-century monastery with a beautiful view over the Ponte Luís I and Ribeira, often with music from street musicians in the background. It is a bit of a climb to get there.
- WOW Porto - A collection of museums (including ones about wine and chocolate, with a tasting), restaurants, a 'wine school', shops and exhibition spaces. Great for wandering around and being amazed by everything there is to see and learn.
- Taylor's Port - A 300-year-old port house. Take an audio tour and finish with a tasting in the romantic garden overlooking the city. An audio tour with tasting costs € 20 per person and can be booked via GetYourGuide. Do prepare yourself for the climb to get there. Other beautiful port houses to visit are Cálem, Graham's and Sandeman.
- Gaia Cable Car - Take the cable car from the Ponte Luís I down to the Gaia quayside. A ride costs about € 4 per person. It is nothing spectacular, but still fun to see the city in a different way and save yourself a few steps.
- A boat trip on the Douro - Climb aboard and sail past the 6 bridges around Porto. A relaxing boat trip can be booked via GetYourGuide. The boarding point is on the Gaia quayside. A boat trip costs € 15 per person.
Hotspots
- Hip food court - Mercado Beira-Rio
- Sardine heaven - Mundo Fantástico da Sardinha Portuguesa
- Cocktails and port - The George Terrace Bar
- Delicious tapas - Tappas Caffé Regional
- Traditional Portuguese cuisine - Adega do Manel
- Street art - Half Rabbit by Bordalo II
Where to stay
In Gaia you will find lots of luxury hotels, including The Rebello Hotel & Spa and The Yeatman. For a slightly cheaper but still very good hotel, try Caleway Hotel. You can also stay on this side of Porto on a small budget, at the cosy Douro Surf Hostel. Check Airbnb for the best apartments in Gaia.
Getting Around Porto: Transport and Accessibility
From Amsterdam Schiphol there are daily flights of about 3 hours to Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (Porto Airport) with airlines such as Transavia, TAP Air Portugal, easyJet and KLM. There are also daily Ryanair flights to Porto from Eindhoven Airport.
Once you have landed, you can easily take the Porto metro straight to the city centre. The ride takes about 35 minutes. Buy a return ticket at the ticket office so that you can easily take the metro back when you leave (keep your ticket safe!). Take line E towards Trindade, the main metro station in the centre. From there you can walk to your accommodation within 10 minutes, or change to line D, which takes you further into the centre or across the Ponte Luís I to the Gaia district.
Porto is a compact and easy-to-navigate city, ideal for exploring on foot. The narrow, sometimes steep streets are perfect for discovering on walks past historic sights, cosy squares and the picturesque Ribeira riverside.
If you do get tired of walking, there are several transport options, such as the metro, the cable car (teleférico) across the Douro river or the charming little tram. For a special experience, walk across the iconic Ponte Luís I, which offers a beautiful view over the city and the river.
You can also rent a bike, especially along the Ribeira riverside, where several rental companies are based. Keep in mind that the centre is not ideal for cycling because of the cobblestones and narrow streets. We recommend cycling from Ribeira along the Douro river towards the beach for a relaxed day out.
Practical tips for Porto
Before you go
Booking activitiesWith the GetYourGuide app you can book and manage tickets and excursions, often with good-value combo deals → City guide with walking routesWe are fans of the Time to Momo guide, with a different walking route for every day →On the ground
Frequently asked questions about a city trip to Porto
How long is the flight to Porto? +
From Amsterdam Schiphol there are daily flights of about 3 hours to Porto with airlines including Transavia, TAP Air Portugal, easyJet and KLM. From Eindhoven there are daily flights with Ryanair.
How do you get from the airport to the centre of Porto? +
By metro: line E towards Trindade takes you to the centre in about 35 minutes. Buy a return ticket at the ticket office straight away and keep it safe for your return journey.
Is Porto easy to explore on foot? +
Yes, Porto is compact and easy to navigate. The streets can be narrow and steep, so if you get tired, take the metro, the cable car across the Douro or the little tram. Be sure to walk across the Ponte Luís I for a beautiful view.
Can you cycle in Porto? +
You can rent a bike, especially along the Ribeira riverside. Because of the cobblestones and narrow streets the centre is not ideal; it is better to cycle from Ribeira along the Douro towards the beach.
What are the best neighbourhoods in Porto? +
In this blog we share our favourites: the colourful and historic Ribeira district, Baixa as the heart of the city full of culture and shops, the hip and authentic Bolhão and Gaia with its port houses.
What should you eat in Porto? +
Be sure to try pastéis de nata, francesinha (a toasted sandwich with beer sauce), bacalhau, chouriço assado, piri piri chicken and fresh sardines. And of course a glass of port is a must.
How do you book activities and excursions in Porto? +
We use the GetYourGuide app. You can easily book and manage tickets and excursions, pay straight away and just have your ticket scanned at the location.